Chapter 47
As I shivered standing there, Granada wrapped several towels around me.
“Do not go into the bed; stay by the fireplace and warm yourself by the fire.”
“Okay. Got it.”
I obediently moved to the fireplace.
Meanwhile, the maids of Ronheim Castle had come and gone several times, changing the bathwater.
On their faces, it was clear they were displeased with me for making them replace the water twice.
“Tsk.”
Granada quietly scolded them, and the maids quickly lowered their eyes and completed the task she had instructed.
After sending the maids away, Granada brought me into the fresh water herself.
I was surprised and widened my eyes—never expecting that she, despite her discomfort, would bathe me personally.
“Why aren’t you having the other maids do this? Why do it yourself?”
Granada tied her waist, lifting the hem of her skirt so it wouldn’t touch the wet floor.
Beneath the lifted skirt, her wooden prosthetic leg was fully visible.
“These people should have already returned to their families for dinner and bedtime by now. They stayed voluntarily because they were happy to hear of your return, not because they wanted to work.”
“I… see.”
My gaze inadvertently fell on Granada’s prosthetic leg for a moment before I quickly looked away.
Our eyes met, and I felt caught like a naughty child. I apologized, embarrassed:
“Sorry for staring.”
“Do not worry. People naturally react with surprise or curiosity toward unfamiliar things.”
“Still, it’s not polite.”
“Unless the gaze is unpleasant, there’s no need to feel bad for looking out of curiosity.”
Her words were surprisingly kind.
Her hands, despite her impassive expression, were incredibly delicate.
It was as if she feared that applying just a bit too much pressure would break my arm.
Because of that, her touch felt ticklish.
It was so different from the palace maids, who scrubbed my skin harshly, as if trying to strip it off.
‘She must be worried about me.’
Even without words, I could feel it.
I couldn’t help but smile. Just moments ago, Granada had seemed intimidating, but being cared for by her was a completely different experience.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing… it’s just a little ticklish.”
“Does it hurt? If it does, please tell me.”
“Not at all.”
Seeing the reddish marks, as if scratched, Granada looked at me curiously.
“What are these marks? They look like they were just made.”
I laughed awkwardly.
“They’re from scrubbing with the brush that was in the bath basket.”
At my words, vertical wrinkles appeared on her forehead.
“That brush is used to remove calluses from the soles of the feet.”
“Oh…”
A quiet stillness fell over the bathroom after that.
I shut my mouth in embarrassment, and Granada, perhaps at a loss for words at my ignorance, remained silent.
Like nomadic children, she seemed to see me as a sheltered princess who couldn’t do anything on her own.
I sulked, hugging my knees while staring at the rippling bathwater. Trying to shift my attention, I asked a question:
“Do all the castle staff commute?”
“Usually, yes.”
“No one permanently lives here?”
“Except for me, Butler Mainz, the head cook, and a few others, the rest take shifts.”
“I see… why don’t you hire live-in staff?”
“It’s not that we don’t hire them; no one wants to do it. There’s always a shortage of hands in the castle. The Ronheim villagers prefer to hunt for food for their households rather than earn currency through labor.”
“Really?”
It was an unfamiliar concept to me.
In Arental, every household had live-in maids.
Maids often complained about too many workers and too few jobs, fearing they’d lose their employment.
So, they obeyed unreasonable orders from their employers without question.
For instance, following a drunk husband’s command to tie his wife to the bedpost all day.
The memory of such hardship suddenly startled me. I shook my head, wanting to cast it off.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Nothing, really.”
Granada tilted her head in puzzlement but did not ask further. Instead, she urged:
“Please cherish the workers. They beg us not to let them go, so they are truly valuable.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
I smiled at Granada.
“Thank you for explaining everything. It will help. I look forward to your guidance.”
“Ah… yes.”
When our eyes met, Granada seemed to pause for a moment. Her hands suddenly moved faster.
‘What’s going on?’
After finishing the bath with Granada’s help, someone knocked on the door.
“I’ll go see who it is.”
Granada limped over and opened the door, revealing Alex and Brentian.
After a brief conversation with Brentian, Granada turned toward me.
“They’ve brought your things, Milady.”
“My things?”
I was startled when I saw the teddy bear and cushion in their hands.
‘I was so focused on not crying that I completely forgot!’
It was unbelievable that my entire fortune, my revenge fund, had been carried around like that.
Despite wearing pajamas, I rushed over and asked them:
“Thank you for bringing it. Could you please put them inside?”
“Yes.”
Alex carefully placed the teddy bear and cushion on my bed.
After hesitating for a long moment, he closed his eyes and admitted:
“The bear got a little dirty… I didn’t take proper care of it. I’m sorry.”
Since the doll’s condition wasn’t important to me, I nodded generously.
“It’s fine. Thank you for taking responsibility for it.”
Alex stared at me.
“Really… are you okay? I thought it was very precious…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
I smiled, hoping he wouldn’t fret, but his gaze seemed peculiar.
He seemed to want a different answer from me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, nothing. I’ll go now. Please rest.”
“Yes. You too, Sir Alex.”
Alex turned toward the door.
Through the slightly open door, I saw Brentian with arms crossed, waiting for Alex.
Alex seemed to notice Brentian as well.
For some reason, when their eyes met, he flinched and returned to my side.
Granada narrowed her eyes, alternating her gaze between Alex and Brentian. It seemed I wasn’t the only one finding their behavior awkward.
Alex lowered his gaze, avoiding mine.
“The doll became quite dirty during the trip. Since it was entrusted to me, may I take responsibility and wash it thoroughly?”
“No, there’s no need. I’m fine.”
When I refused, Alex glanced at Brentian again.
“The doll and cushion are quite heavy; the maids would struggle carrying them.”
I realized Alex was openly testing me, probably on Brentian’s orders.
‘They’ve figured out there’s something inside.’
I wondered what I should say without arousing suspicion.
As I pondered, Alex let out a small sigh and suddenly bowed respectfully.
“I apologize if I disturbed the princess’s rest unnecessarily.”
I smiled awkwardly and assured him it was fine. He hurriedly left the room as if fleeing.
I could see Brentian glaring at Alex.
At that moment, Granada, with her usual expressionless face, told me she would step out briefly.
“I’ll return soon.”
“What on earth are you two doing?”
Granada, now in the hallway, glared sharply at Brentian and Alex.
“Brentian, why are you acting so rude? No matter what, Milady is someone brought by the Master of the House.”
As head maid, Granada scolded Brentian as if he were her subordinate.
“I won’t ask you to give your heart, but at least show basic courtesy. For the Master’s dignity as well.”
Brentian, instead of angered at her lower status, respectfully explained:
“It’s not that, Lady Granada.”
“Drop the ‘Lady’.”
“…Yes, Granada. Anyway, it seems there might be a dangerous weapon hidden inside the doll and cushion, so I was gauging the princess’s reaction.”
“What?”
Granada burst into laughter upon hearing this.
